When it comes to fall decorating, I have a predictable annual ritual.  I clip colorful stems of viburnum leaves from the backyard, pull out the amber glass collection from storage, and pose mini pumpkins all around the house.  As a result, the mantel tends to reflect my fall favorites. 

That was the mantel yesterday morning when I photographed it.  Then I had two cups of coffee.  And as I sat there in the cozy space, amped up on caffeine, I got a hankering to mix it up again.   

As I’ve mentioned, I am fixated on marbled paper this year, so I decided after lunch to  take down the mirror and replace it with some framed golden marbled papers I ordered earlier this year. (Those are IKEA Ribba frames if you’re curious.)

Aaaaaand here’s the afternoon version of the mantel. 

Here are the seasonal changes: I temporarily swapped my living room rug for the Surya rug that used to sit in the kid’s playroom and was hiding in a closet.  I brought down the slipcovered settee from our master bedroom for a few months to create a cozy seating area around the fireplace.  And I added a deep orange throw blanket and some embroidered DL Rhein pillows, both purchased from Joss & Main as autumn accents.

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I’m excited to spend some time over the next two weeks sprucing up our home for fall since the Fall Link Parties start next week!  I’ll be using a lot of what I’ve got, but I have my eye on a few new things for cozying up the casa. I love the yummy colors of autumn: pumpkin, cognac, olive, fig, aubergine, and amber.   Fall is not only about color but texture too, think warm metallics, wood finishes, and cozy throws for chilly nights by the fire. 

For fun, I did a little virtual shopping, and picked out a collection of fall favorites for the home and tabletop. 

Alder Nesting trays, Altogether Home; Ranch Pillow, CB2; Amber Jug, SKS Bottles; Dexter Stripe Bench, Pottery Barn; Kaleidescope Pillow, Altogether Home; Animalia Rust Jute Pillow, World Market; Pumpkin Mohair Throw, Layla Grace; Teak End Table, Shop Ten 25; Aubergine Suzani Pillow, Pop of Color on Etsy; Birch logs, Floral Accents on Etsy; Cowhide Ottomans, Room and Board; Seagrass Baskets, Wisteria; Wickford Dining Chair, Pottery Barn; Harper Banquette, World Market; Sheepskin Rug, Room and Board; Diamond Kilim Rug, Pottery Barn.

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Hey everyone, are you getting excited for the long weekend?  We’ve got plans to make a quick trip to a special location to celebrate the last official weekend of summer, but I can *almost* feel fall in the air!  

I’ve invited Shannon of AKA Design back to share with you a list of five natural elements that make it easy and inexpensive to transition your home for fall.  Welcome back Shannon!

“Hi everybody!  Some say spring is a time for new beginnings and perhaps that’s true.  But to me, fall has always been the season to begin exciting new adventures.  Maybe it’s because I fondly remember school starting each fall, with new classes, friends and teachers (truthfully it was the pristine new binders and perfectly sharpened pencil crayons that got me!).  Or that the cooler weather is so crisp and refreshing after the summer heat. Or maybe it’s that Christmas (and all the joy that comes with it) is right around the corner once autumn arrives.  Who knows.  But, I do know that fall is one of my absolute favourite seasons for decorating!

Decorating in autumn is made fabulous by its sheer simplicity – all you need to do is bring the outdoors in using various elements from nature and you instantly cozy up a space!  Here are a five natural elements that make transitioning to fall easy. 

1.  Pumpkins & Gourds  In the fall, there are so many readily available pumpkins and gourds in various shapes, sizes and colours.  There are real and faux versions, as well as painted, glittered, and blinged out squash varieties. They can be stacked up, lined up or used to create any manner of vignette. 

Pottery Barn

 

My Home Ideas

 

Country Living

 

Better Homes & Gardens

 

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Back to school time always brings on the images of fall, and while the August weather still feels like summer outside, I confess my mind is already thinking about all things autumn.  By September, I’ll be in the mood to do some transitioning indoors, which means it’s time for some seasonal decorating, and I’ve teamed up with my blog buddies Layla, Rhoda, and Sarah again for a round of link parties!

This year, I’ll be hosting the Fall Mantels party and the other ladies (plus Kevin!) are hosting outdoor decor, tablescapes, and easy fall decor, from September 18th through September 27th on Tuesdays and Thursdays, see the button above for exact dates and hosts.

To me, fall is always about bringing the outdoors in and the mantel is the perfect place for fresh clippings of leaves changing color.

Saidos de Concha on Flickr

When decorating a mantel, there’s no need to restrict yourself to the top mantel shelf.  Add that extra layer of pattern, texture, or whimsy with a creative mantel scarf or garland.

good housekeeping/a thoughtful place

Layered artwork, branch hurricane sconces, and a magnolia leaf garland complete this living room ready for the autumn chill.

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